Chronic Pain

Chronic pain affects 1 out of 3 people in the United States. Back pain, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome are examples of common pain conditions; the focus of research studies that assess the effectiveness of medication to alleviate pain or to increase the function of the chronic pain sufferer. The goals of new chronic pain treatments include decreasing daily pain, improving sleep, and treating the depression and chronic fatigue that often accompany chronic pain. Health education is a cornerstone of chronic pain treatment.

Fibromyalgia Pain Syndrome

Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome with symptoms of widespread pain, stiffness, fatigue and poor sleep. Fibromyalgia symptoms of pain, chronic fatigue and insomnia affect 2% of adults in the United States. Women experience fibromyalgia pain symptoms 50% more often than men. Traditional pain medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) have been relatively ineffective in relieving the pain of fibromyalgia. Clinical studies are ongoing that study the effectiveness of potential new therapies in the treatment of fibromyalgia. These new interventions focus on nerve conduction, rather than muscle or joint function, as our understanding of fibromyalgia moves from the prospective of a musculoskeletal disease to a neuromuscular disease. Clinical studies evaluating fibromyalgia treatment include medications to decrease the patient’s suffering from pain, insomnia, depression and muscle tenderness. With fibromyalgia may come symptoms of irritable bowel, decreased mental clarity, and decreased libido.

Chronic Low Back Pain

Most people suffer from low back pain at some time in their lives. 90% of patients improve within 12 weeks. Ten per cent of patients with low back pain do not improve in 12 weeks and their pain becomes chronic. Chronic low back pain is difficult to treat and is one of the most common contributors to lost productivity in the United States. Doctors often treat patients with chronic low back pain with medication for osteoarthritis. Recent research shows that some patients with chronic low back pain have central sensitization of their pain. This central pain is often successfully treated with antidepressant medication. Many doctors provide health education regarding diet, exercise and wellness alternatives for treatment of chronic low back pain. Research studies that evaluate a medication’s effectiveness in relieving back and joint pain are part of the options for pain sufferers.

Clinical research for arthritis pain sufferers has been particularly eventful as new COX inhibitors have entered the marketplace and then retreated as dangerous side effects limit their usefulness. New drug trials are examining ways to reduce the potential for gastrointestinal bleeding, a dangerous complication of prolonged NSAID use in any pain condition.

New medications to treat migraine headaches have become available, but research studies continue as new treatments focus on prevention as well as shortening the duration and diminishing the intensity of headache pain, nausea and vomiting. Migraine headaches are more frequent in women, and may occur in cycles around the menses. Early treatment and the avoidance of triggers are important strategies in warding off severe migraines.

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